TEL AVIV - Citing a senior officer in the Israeli Navy, Defense News reported on March 27, 2017 that the Israeli Navy is modifying the designs of the Sa'ar 6 corvettes being produced in Germany, with a focus on adding more Iron Dome missile interceptors.
Defense News reported, "In an interview at Navy headquarters in Tel Aviv, a senior officer said growing quantities of 122mm Grad-type rockets and longer-range projectiles in the arsenals of Lebanon-based Hizbollah has prompted the Navy to rethink early requirements."
Previously, Israel planned to place one Iron Dome launcher on each of the four corvettes, which are under construction by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
The naval version of the Iron Dome, referred to as C-Dome, carries 10 Tamir interceptor missiles. Following the modification, each Sa'ar 6 corvette will carry two C-Dome launchers, meaning the vessels will be able to fire 20 Tamir interceptor missiles.
The Sa'ar 6 corvettes, once in service, will protect offshore infrastructure in Israel's exclusive economic zone.
The C-Dome launchers will focus on rockets while the Barak-8 -- another air-defense system -- will intercept more advanced missiles, such as P800 Yakhont anti-shipping missiles known to be in Hezbollah's possession. Last month, the Israeli Navy test fired the Barak-8 at sea to test its capabilities.
Defense News noted that these missile interceptor systems are suppoted by the multi-function surveillance, track, and guidance radar ELM-2248 Adir, which is produced by Elta Systems.
The changes to the Sa'ar 6 corvettes may delay their entry into service. Defense News reported the first "had been expected to arrive in so-called safe sail mode -- without its combat weapons suite -- by the end of 2019 or early 2020." Deliveries thereafter are expected to occur in six month intervals.
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